Almost six months ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a proposed federal ban of “harmful” single use plastics which could come into effect as early as January 2021. Coun. Doug Judson proposed a similar action at Monday evening’s council meeting.
The federal proposal would ban plastics that are designed to be used once and then disposed of. It would include plastics that you use to put your produce and vegetables in at the grocery store.
It also would include plastic forks, spoons, knives and plates that are convenient to use for parties and gatherings and plastic water and carbonated beverage bottles.
Canada is joining many other nations who are already banning single-use plastics.
Only 10 percent of plastics are currently going into recycling. It is costing cities and towns much as the plastics fill land fills and take centuries to break down.
In its first group of banned products, the European Union has banned single use cutlery, plates, straws, ear swabs, plastic balloon sticks and drink stirrers.
Canada will consult with industry on single use plastic ban and over time develop stronger bans.
The strictest plastic bans today are found in Kenya. There, any person producing, selling or using single-use plastic bags may be imprisoned for up to four years and fined up to $40,000.
India has planned to eliminate single use plastics by 2022.
Before the community implements its own single-use plastic ban, the ban should be coordinated with federal and provincial bans.
Montreal created its own ban in 2018, yet appears to disregard the legislation.
Vancouver proposed a ban which was to take place June 2019, but has been postponed to April 2020.
Fort Frances can learn from the problems experienced by Montreal, Vancouver, Tofino and Ucluelet.
–Jim Cumming
